# alas vs altar

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### alas
*intj · IPA /əˈlæs/ · frequency rank #11,647*
Used to express sorrow, regret, compassion, grief, resignation, or disappointment.

### altar
*noun · IPA /ˈɒl.tə/ · frequency rank #9,562*
A table or similar flat-topped structure used for religious rites.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alas-vs-altar